Ranieri said that last season the spirit and hard work of the players helped Leicester achieve something magical.
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Having guided Leicester City to their miraculous league victory last season, the Italian has been rewarded with a new deal with the club, extending his stay at the King Power until 2020. “We are ready to defend our title but we know it is a different gap”.
“We know very well, ” Ranieri said, “we have to fight for 10th position”. I can’t believe that we can repeat but we will try. “They can’t permit to lose the title for the second year”. “40 points again, it is very important”, he added.
The Italian led the team from underdogs to champions in his first season in charge of them.
Ranieri joined Leicester following the dismissal of Nigel Pearson, but his appointment was met with a mixed reaction among media and supporters, with many tipping the side to go down.
It just feels that as pre-season has come and gone, few and few people have backed the Foxes to kick on as they did last season.
Newly-promoted teams normally arrive in the Premier League full of hope and confidence for the season ahead. “It’s 6000/1. It’s more likely E.T. will land in Piccadilly Circus”.
“If Chelsea bought Kante, it’s because he played as two players last season”, Ranieri said. I will shake their hands when they beat us.
Vardy’s 24 goals, including a Premier League record of a goal in 11 straight matches, combined with 17 for Mahrez, helped Leicester stun the favourites and maintain their nerve in the run-in.
“The close-knit brotherhood is unbelievable, ” Vardy says, “and, for me, there’s a lot of unfinished business here”.
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Claudio Ranieri must try and do everything he can to convince Mahrez to stay, even though it will be extremely hard if the Gunners return with an improved offer for the PFA Player of the Year.
